Time Outside the US - 24hr Rule

[mep 2]

Hello,

When completing the section that asks for days spent outside of the US, do you include the travel days (the days you left the US and returned), because technically those are not a full 24 hours in another country.

For example, I drive to Canada and cross the border around lunchtime. That is not a full 24 hours in Canada.

Am I overthinking this??

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hello,

When completing the section that asks for days spent outside of the US, do you include the travel days (the days you left the US and returned), because technically those are not a full 24 hours in another country.

For example, I drive to Canada and cross the border around lunchtime. That is not a full 24 hours in Canada.

Am I overthinking this??

Yes, you are. I count all days outside the US. For example, we board the airplane on Monday at 1700. I count that day. We arrive back in the US on Tuesday 3 weeks later at 1530. I count that day and end up with 23 days. As long as you are no where near the maximum number of days outside the US to be eligible for naturalization, who cares?

You do not count a trip in which you leave on Monday at 1700 and return Tuesday at 1500--you were not outside the US for 24 hours or longer. Once you reach the 24 hour mark you count that day and all days until you return.

Dave